ROCHESTER — The city School District has put a freeze on remaining funds that may stay in place until this coming January due to an unforeseen influx of special education students at the elementary level.

At a recent Finance Committee meeting with the School Board, Finance Director Linda Casey said if the board approved the addition of five new paraprofessional positions to accommodate the new students, she would have to call for the budgetary freeze. The motion went through unanimously at that time.

According to superintendent Michael Hopkins, it is unknown why the district has more special education students now than before, but the district has observed more people moving to the area.

“We’re implementing (the freeze) and we’ll continue that until we have any changes in our budget information at this stage,” he said. “I’m sure this will go through until at least January before where we know where we’re at on that.”

Hopkins noted the board will review the payroll budget especially, over a six-month period, to track any trends that may lead to the unfreezing of spending.

He said this will impact spending the district “has a choice on,” including the acquisition of new supplies or equipment. He said however, if equipment is required, that will be taken into consideration.

“We want to make sure that we get the things we need, so we’ll continue to do that, but we need to make sure that the budget balances at the end of the year,” Hopkins said. “…If somebody really needs something, if we need something for a specific student along those lines that would have a big impact, we’ll try to go ahead with those.”

The School Board is to take the matter up for discussion again before the end of the year, possibly in December.